Ornamental trim strip for cabinet tops



Jan. 5, 1954 Filed Jan. 11, 1949 s. s. BATTLES 2,665,183

ORNAMENTAL TRIM STRIP FOR CABINET TOPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 s. s. BATTLES 2,665,183

ORNAMENTAL TRIM STRIP FOR CABINET TOPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n II/II 11/11/1111 111/ u Il/III/III/I I//IIIIIIIIII//IIIIIIIA llIIlIII/IIIII\III. mm, Ill/lI/IIIIll/IIIl/IIlI/lIl/III Jan. 5, 1954 Filed Jan. 11, 1949 IIflIl/IIIIIIIIIIIJ II 575mm (5 47715; E 47%;. 7 4.4! If a Jan. 5, 1954 s. s. BATTLES ORNAMENTAL TRIM STRIP FOR CABINET TOPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 11, 1949 II/[III] .Ifirenfar JEN/W7 J. 5071;)"

Patentec] Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'ORNAMENTAL TRIM STRIP FOR GABINET TOPS stewm senames, Galesburg, n1.

Application January 11,1349, SerialNo. 70,279

1301811181. :1 This invention relates to improvements 'cabinet'or counter'tops to Joe-used in-connection "with cabinets containing doors and shelves, drawers, or both, the invention being highly desirable for covering utility cabinets used in kitchens, lunch rooms, and similar "places, "a1- though the invention may have other uses and purposesas will be-apparentto one skilled in' the art.

Steel kitchen cabinets'and the like have now substantially-universally replaced the foriner type of wooden cabinets. In order to properly merchandise the metal cabinet, it was found necessary to design a line of cabinetsthat' couidbe fitted into'mostany type of space available-in a kitchen. Accordingly, a =line "of cabinets were developedWit-h standard sizes that could be fitted into various spaces inincrementsof three inches.

tin-case a closer fit was' 'desired, a line of filler strips were utilized that would '-=ta'ke "up shorter spaces than three --i-nc-hes in' increments of one inch. Suchde-velopments' -have nowbeen'adopted substantially as an industry standard this particular field.

However,-"ex treme difli'cultywas'experienced "in providing tops for the *cabinets, it being -'-und'erstood that such tops must function as service *tables, and therefore have d-urabil-ity 1 as *as a pleasing appearance-and mustbereadilyiand -easily maintained i-n a clean and sanitary mon- =-d-ition. 'Heretofore, i t h-as been the pract-ice to use separate tGPSFOI'l GE/h cabinet, therby "leavingundesirablecrevices and eracks -between adjacent counter tops, in vvh-ioh'crevices andcracks food, "dirt, and. insects --'could collect, while *the cracks permitted the running through "of both hot and cold liquids to the ultimate irfluny of the cabinet 'i ts'lf 'in a lo'oation extremely diflicult to repair. Even though'counter tops with multiples of three inches,etc.,' oovering'several*eaiblnets' wereutilized, such crevioes andmracks still resulted. Further, owing to van' iations' in fioor reveL- such tops were' fin most casesmneven as to thezovereill assembly' so as to interfere olaiectionam wnh thew'sliding or dishes, lutens'ilaand the like, fo'ver the cabinet tops, I and the -cracks Joetween adjacent tops would "frequently catch "dishes end 'rcutlery to an oloje'cti'onable extent. l' rhemnly other -.-'alternative :a customer had was rto have a custom icounter top vJou'ilt to =-or'der, a fprocedune mot pnssible rin mass mroduction, sand fthatwaszextremely d nearly always pro- :hibitively eexpensive. fillhe-sdiifieultiescmentioned abovewene greatly increased when cabinet additionsm eresmade from thn'eito iitirpel to a kitclmn. Y

Also'it may'aoe mentioned that: difliculty was herertofore experienced day virtueof water and mther ="1iquids running or dripping on the :ends ent the counter tops.

With the rioregoingin mind, it is an important object-10f the instant invention to provide a cabianetror counter :top that may :be joined toan adjacent similar toprin armannertoefiect expositive liquid-tight seal thenebetwieen with the elimination of all acracks nor iorevzices.

Also an object of this invention is the 2,1 1.0- visionof-a cabinet or counter itop which may be connected to azsim' ilar adjacent top :inasmocth, even manner so that mothtops will he .at'th same level after connection, regardlessof rvaria- "tionsiin 'i floor level.

..It 'is also an important object of this invenztionvto provide a cabinet 1 or mun-ter top no iconl'struetedthat"1t may he associated :tvith'similarly Iconstruntedatops.in-atmanner to maintain acumnlete level and smooth surface tor :the (entire rassemblmiwithinorcracks or erevioes :between ad- :jaeent ctops, anil'wvith the :entire structurev git/Ling 'lboth ithe appearance and "functioning the :same

3185' :on'e'complete integral topoverthe entire nailedmet-assembly.

it is 222180 8. feature :of rthisinvention ito waterside a :cabinet :nr 'BDLIIItBI' top, :that may steadily and easily lee attached :to y a cabinet, and connected with :an adjacent itop,-'the 2 tons rcomingzin :xzarious isizes, whereby azcomplete kitohennabinetassembly includmg :tops may be :put e'together zfrom lasectionsfimanufactured :in mass production with :a .resultant built-eto-order appearance :and sextreme economy.

Also :an :object LOT 'rtln's invention is ;.the exprovision iii a cabinet L01 acounteriztop provided with anczendtrimespecially designed to prevent -:the

offxor idrippingaof iliquidx from ithe ftop.

' :S't'ill another 'ifeature of the invent-ion iiSiihB movision of aweabinetor counter :top aequ'ipped wswith' end trim remembers :of such: character as "to he readily IIGmOIVBlbIE .so that the step may be joined with ..-another :similar top :-ater sremoval 20f ethe vrespective eend :trim :mernbers to-provide aeteristios and advantages of Y the *instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a pictorial view of a kitchen cabinet assembly equipped with counter top members embodying improvements of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken through a joint between adjacent counter tops as indicated by the line IIII of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is also a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view through the end portion of a counter top taken as indicated by line III-III of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view, with parts broken away and parts shown in section, of one of the counter tops seen in Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken substantially as indicated by line V-V of Fig. 4, and in addition illustrating the connection of a top to a cabinet;

Figure 6 is a view similar in character to Fig. 5

but illustrating a section through a cabinet top in which a sink is mounted, and taken substantially as indicated by the line VIVI of Fig. l

Figure 7 is an end view of a cabinet top as it comes from the manufacturer, and with the trim strip removed; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the counter top end ready for connection to an adjacent counter top end.

As shown on the drawings:

In Fig. 1 illustrated embodiments of the instant invention are shown as forming a composite part of a kitchen cabinet assembly of a substantially modified L shape. The cabinet assembly includes a side cabinet I, a corner filler 2, a sink cabinet 3, and an end cabinet 4, each of which is equipped with a counter top embodying principles of the invention, and these tops are indicated in general by numerals 5, 6, l and 8, respectively. Cabinets and tops of different sizes were selected intentionally to indicate the versatility of the instant invention by showing how counter tops of various sizes may be joined together to provide a smooth, continuous one-piece top effect. Outside of a difference in size, and the fact that the sink top is especially constructed to support a sink in an intermediate position, the counter tops 5, 6, I and 8 are all the same general construction so that they might readily be connected with adjacent counter tops.

In Figs. 4 and I have illustrated by way of example the counter top generally indicated by numeral 5 in Fig. 1. From this showing it will be seen that the counter top includes a fiat metallic base 9 having a depending flange l0 entirely therearound, which flange is turned inwardly as at H at the front edge. Welded or equivalently secured to the underside of the base 9 are a plurality of spaced parallel Z-bars 12. With the aid of these bars the top may be readily attached to a cabinet indicated at l3 by placing the bolt is through the cabinet flange I 5 and also through a tapped plate I 6 which engages over the lower flange of the adjacent Z-bar as clearly seen in Fig. 5. Thus, no matching of bolt holes need be performed in order to secure the top to the cabinets, it bein a simple expedient to lay a tapped plate over each Z-bar flange. Such operation, of course, is performed at both ends of the cabinet.

Over the upper surface of the base. 9 a sheet of decorative material is laid, such as linoleum H, which may be any desired color. This is preferably firmly cemented to the base 9. The linoleum is additionally held down along the forward edge by an upwardly extending and reversely bent portion l8 of a decorative trim strip 59 carried by a trim supporting channel secured to the forward flange H] of the base 9 by a series of bolts 2| or in an equivalent manner. The trim supporting channel has an inwardly extending bottom flange 22 underlying the corresponding portion ll of the flange In so as to effect a positive seal between the top and cabinet at the forward side. Obviously, the trim strip 19 may be of any desired material, but is preferably of stainless steel or chrome plated metal as are all exposed metallic parts of the top construction.

The trim strip [9 has a hooked edge 58 engaged over the free edge of the supporting channel and from thence follows the contour of the channel to the elevated portion It. From the elevated portion, the strip is bent downward to engage the linoleum I! at a point 59. The strip is folded back on itself at this point and lies along the under side to reinforce the strip. A downwardly extending flange 60 is bent from the reinforcing part of the strip, and extends between the channel 20 and the flange l0 and is held thereby.

The elevated portion I8 of the trim strip performs a triple function, namely adding to the overall decorative appearance of the top, holding the forward edge of the linoleum, and preventing liquids from running or dripping off the forward side of the top.

At the rear side thereof, the top is provided with a backsplash comprising a channel member 23 having an arcuate forward portion and secured to the base 9 by means of a series of bolts 24 extending through the linoleum H. A strip of linoleum 25 is cemented to the arcuate portion of the channel 23 so as to harmonize in appearance with all the cabinet assembly as well as many appliances used. Over the lower end of the linoleum a cove trim strip 26 is provided which extends under the channel member so as to be securely held in position, and the forward portion of this cove strip is reversely bent and slightly downwardly turned as indicated at 2? to effect a tight engagement with the linoleum ll. At the top thereof the backsplash is provided with a supporting channel 28 covered by a top trim 29 which is also reversely bent in its forward portion so as to overlie the upper edge of the linoleum 25 and thus complete an attractive assembly. The construction of this trim strip 29 is, in all respects, similar to that of the prior described front strip l9.

Flanged end supports 30 are provided at each end of the channel 23, and elsewhere if deemed desirable, and as will more fully appear hereinafter these end supports aid in joining one top to an adjacent top. H

At each end of each top section a plastic strip 31 is provided. These plastic strips are identical in construction, except for the fact the left side strip is complementary to the right side stripv In Fig. '7 I have shown one of these strips full elevation as mounted on the edge of a top. and the strip is held in position by a series of bolts 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 engaged through the adjacent flange In of the top section, and a pair of bolts 31 and 38 engaged through the -adjacent end member of the backsnlash. As seen best in Fig. 2, the plastic strip 3! is of a size as'to be flush with the linoleum I! at its top edge, and

amass gpreferably :extends slightly'fbelow the. .ad;i" ent *flange lllrof the top base a, plas'ti is zalsopreferably of substantially the sameloeior aasithelinoleum. I 4

:At eachsend thereof, thegplastic Striplsinter- :nally reinforced with ya ;;pa,d-as indicated acne and 4B in-Figs. 5 and 6. .Thesereinforced portions are reducedtin thickness bothTi-nside and outside itoprovideaxknockout disk-4-land42 at the respective ends of the strip, WhiGlfl-ikIIQCkOllt-fllfiki; are ceasilyjremoved with the a idsof-ia knife bla'deor othersuitableimplement. .rns stated above, the plastic strip 3| .is normally Df :the appearance seen in Fig. 7 .yvhenthemanticular top section leaveslthemanufacturer. Aillgof -t?the boltsI-M, 1:33, .34, 35,36,153?! andfiflare .inplace with the usuahpolygonaknut.

When it is desired to join two sections together as indicated in Fig. 2, the knockout disks 4| and 42 are removed, and bolts 32, 34 and 36 and 38 are preferably removed from each of the plastic strips. Dowel pins 43 and 44, which may be relatively short metallic pins, are inserted in the openings left by the removal of the knockout disks. These dowel pins project through both adjacent top sections and thus the sections are maintained in exact alignment with each other until bolted together. In Fig. 8 I have illustrated one of the plastic strips ready for joining with an adjacent plastic strip, and it will be seen that the dowel pins 43 and 44 have been inserted, while bolts 32, 34 and 36 and 38 have been removed. As to bolt 38, it is not necessary to remove this bolt all of the time but just when desired in the event there is some unevenness in the floor and it is desired to have additional support.

With reference now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that longer bolts may be substituted for those removed, and in this view a bolt 320. has been inserted in lieu of the removed bolt 32, and may readily be held in position by a suitable speed nut 45, thus locking the two adjacent top sections firmly together.

Just prior to the insertion of the bolts joining the two sections together, a waterproof seal in the form of a mastic may be squeezed from a tube or otherwise applied to the confronting faces of the adjacent plastic members. This mastic is indicated at 43 in Fig. 2 and effectively eliminates any cracks between the joined sections. Preferably the mastic is of the same color as the plastic strips and linoleum, and when applied is left a little high in the joint. The high portion, after setting, may be removed by the application of naphtha, kerosene, or some equivalent solvent which does not affect the linoleum, so that the resultant joint is absolutely tight and smooth, giving the appearance and function of a completely smooth integral top regardless of how many sections are actually connected.

At the ends of the cabinet assembly, each top is provided with a trim strip 4'! preferably of stainless steel This trim strip is preferably attached by the removal and replacement of bolts 32 and 36 as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. With reference more particularly to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the trim strip has a laterally extending bottom flange 48 underlying the adjacent plastic strip 3|, and an upstanding channel-like top terminating in an inwardly downwardly inclined lip 49. The strip is so constructed that it must be snapped into position over the plastic strip 3i by first applying the lip 49 to the linoleum, and' then snapping the flange 48 underneath the lower .6 primeplastiestnp,:thus-piaclng-ayresilieht ln lbhpnlthefstiipand causing ipfl'tobite jinwthelincleumlto.efiectaliquidt ghtseal. .The ,upsitaudins upper edge of the :trim strjpfl also prevents.liquidsjfromrunning or dripping *off "the end .of. ma ometer .1391

In "Fig. '6 I haveillustratejd the topconstruction wherein a sink is employed. All of the generalzfeatures vrof-ithewanstruction previously described are here present, with the exception of the..opening-..cfrtinifthemiddle of; the ccunter top, around whichs .peningnachannel-like trim strip 50 preferably of stainless steel or similar decorative-substance is provided. This trim strip eas seenat the top-is-embedded so-as to be flush with the upper surface of --the lincileu-m. Inside .the '-tfiinestrip andentirelyaround tlre openingchannel members 51 are providedand may be spot Welded or equivalently secured to the underside of the top base 9. A sink 52 having an outwardly extending flange therearound may be positioned beneath the inwardly turned flanges of the trim elements 50 and held in position by means of a series of C clamps 53, with the bolt thereof engaging a pad 54 underneath the sink flange, and the upper arm of the clamp engaging the supporting channel 5|. Thus the sink is maintained rigidly in position, amply supported, and the surface of the top adjacent the sink opening is even and smooth entirely therearound;

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided cabinet or counter top construction wherein various top sections of various sizes may be readily and easily joined together in a manner to leave the composite whole with the appearance and function of a single one-piece custom built top over the entire cabinet assembly. The present invention may be readily and economically manufactured, and sold ready for installation. It will be understood that, if so desired, a single top covering a pair of cabinets may be utilized when desired, especially when the entire cabinet assembly is initially installed as a unit. However, when the cabinet assembly is added to a piece at a time at different intervals, it is a simple expedient to remove the trim piece 41 from the end of one cabinet, and connect an adjacent top to the top already there and the addition is unnoticeable as to the entire top assembly. It should also be clearly noted that all cracks or crevices are completely eliminated regardless of how many top sections are connected to each other, and the entire structure is completely drip-proof. It is further apparent that the structure is pleasingly streamlined in appearance so as to harmonize with almost any modern kitchen appliances, as well as being sturdy and highly durable.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

For use with a counter means having a covermg and an attaching flange depending from the edge of the covering, including an open bottom channel member having one side attached to said flange and the other side extending outwardly therefrom, a trim and sealing strip comprising a thin metallic member having one edge bent to form a channel in hooked engagement with the free edge of the channel member and extending upward and over the channel member to provide a raised ridge above and opposite to the meeting sides of the channel member and the attaching flange and extending downward and bent back upon itself to provide a slanting flexible lip for biting into the covering, and then r' having a downwardly bent flange for holding engagement between the channel member and the attaching flange.

STEWART S. BATTLES.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilson Feb. 11, 1936 Number -8 Name Date Bery Apr. 28, 1936 Sinclair July 14, 1936 Dalton Sept. 1, 1936 Thurn et a1. Apr. 26, 1938 Madsen May 16, 1939 Levine et a1. July 11, 1939 Rosenberg July 18, 1939 Weissert Mar. 12, 1940 Modray Mar. 26, 1940 Madsen Apr. 21, 1942 Madsen Oct. 13, 1942 Stanitz Apr. 6, 1948 Rosenberg Sept. 6, 1949 Norquist Oct. 25, 1949 Stanitz Dec. 27, 1949 McCormick Sept. 18, 1951 Stoddard Feb. 19, 195.2. 

